I am aging gracefully in the world of famous books

After Pei Xiang washed up, she began to tidy up the room, mainly to put together the personal belongings she had accumulated these days so that she could pack her luggage and leave at any time.

Pei Xiang took out an ordinary willow wood copper lock box from the innermost part of the suitcase, opened it, and carefully checked the contents.

Two 50 taels of silver and two Jinling bank deposit receipts of 100 taels of silver, more than 20 taels of silver, and two strings of copper coins are all her belongings accumulated under the nose of Painted Skin Ghost.

Of course, if you count all kinds of fashionable hairpin accessories on the dressing table, a few pieces of fine clothing materials in the suitcase, and the good-quality pens, inks, papers and inkstones and various paints on the table, Pei Xiang's net worth is It's even richer.

She has always been a person who takes one step at a time and sees three steps at a time. Ever since she made a living with Painted Skin Ghost, she has also accumulated some assets intentionally or unintentionally while saving her life.

In Pei Xiang's heart, Painted Skin Ghost will be eradicated sooner or later, and she always has to live independently. If she doesn't have enough money, it will be difficult for her to move forward.

——She was originally a dancer from a rich family, and she signed a contract of sale.This time, I was forcibly brought out by the Painted Skin Ghost, and I was charged as a murderer. I have to go back and explain the matter clearly, get rid of the charges, and then take the opportunity to regain my freedom.

——Fortunately, the deed of prostitution signed by the original body can be redeemed, and I didn't completely sell my life to others. The money I have saved now is enough to pay for it.

——However, before I go back, I have to ask Mingzhao and Mr. Lin, if they can help me issue an official letter like a certificate?It would be great if the trouble could be solved directly through official channels.

While planning how to get rid of the crime, how to negotiate with the employer and redeem the deed, he imagined his new life in the future.

She thinks that Yangzhou is a good place, with well-developed merchant trade, relatively open social atmosphere, and rich people who live and work in peace and contentment.After she resolves the identity problem of the original body, she can choose to settle in this area.

Of course, as a single woman, Pei Xiang could already predict that her future life would not be peaceful at all, but after experiencing the threat of Painted Skin Ghost day and night, she now has a kind of pride that nothing major matters other than life and death.

——Roads are made by people, and I can always find ways to deal with all kinds of accidents and troubles.

——Monsters are ferocious, and people’s hearts are also changeable, but it finally gave me a chance to breathe.

——Actually, compared to normal human life, I am more interested in various Taoism and Buddhism in this world.If possible, I should study hard, but I don't know if I have the qualifications.

Pei Xiang recalled the abilities and means of Taoist Ziyang and Abbot Jing Nian, and was very envious.She suddenly felt that maybe it was time to try a new way of life and give up the future plan of settling in one place.

——Actually, if I can learn art from a teacher and learn the magical means of subjugating demons and demons, I can also be a female Taoist nun who travels around the world.

——Appreciate the mountains, rivers, sun and moon, see the various conditions of the market, and be free.Although he eats and sleeps in the open air, he is free and unrestrained, and is not disturbed by the world.

——The world of Liaozhai... Let me think about it, where can I worship the immortal master...

Pei Xiang hummed an intermittent tune, and couldn't help thinking about it for a while.

She thought, she is a peerless genius, and after three months of apprenticeship, she will be able to transcend Taoism and Dharma, and then she will become a handsome female Taoist nun who travels the world with a sword, riding a little donkey to enjoy revenge and revenge, and if she is not careful, she will fight people and demons There are three demons.

——Hey, if Ah Bai is willing to wander around with me and let me rua a few times from time to time, that would be even better.

After fantasizing happily for a while, Pei Xiang had to turn her mind back to reality. When she looked up and saw the bright sky outside the window, she knew it was getting late and it was time to go out for errands.

Pei Xiang went to find Mr. Lin first.In her opinion, the affairs of the government office should be settled with serious officials. As for Mingzhao, Pei Xiang felt that she should gradually distance herself.

Lin Ruhai temporarily stayed in this inn last night, so it was easy for Pei Xiang to meet this Master Lin.

"Miss Pei, you said you were leaving Yangzhou and returning to your original employer?"

"Yes, Master Lin, since the Painted Skin Ghost has been eliminated, I should go back, after all, the little girl is not free."

Pei Xiang stood opposite Lin Ruhai, saluted solemnly and sincerely, and then said softly:

"I take the liberty to visit today because the little girl has something to ask for. Lord Lin, I wonder if you can write a letter or official letter for the little girl, proving that the murderer is the Painted Skin Ghost and not the little girl and Qianniang. Then send another yamen Send the master, follow the little girl back, and defend the little girl in front of the parents and officials."

"Miss Pei, since Lin already knows the ins and outs of this case, and has seen the painted-skinned monster pretending to be Qianniang, he naturally knows that you are wronged.

For documents such as letter certificates, if necessary, Lin will never shirk and perfunctory.But now, Lin feels that you don't need to leave Yangzhou in a hurry, you can wait for a while, and after that, all the things you worry about will be solved. "

"Wait a little longer?"

Pei Xiangdai frowned slightly, she first looked at Lin Ruhai puzzled, and then thought of a possibility:

"Master Lin means that if you deal with my case now, the whereabouts and identities of the third master and the others may be exposed, right? So, I have to stay in Yangzhou for now, and wait for the third master and his team to finish their work before I can Set off and return."

Lin Ruhai hesitated for a moment, then nodded hesitantly.

Pei Xiang murmured in his heart.She thought, when Master Lin wrote the letter of proof, he could completely avoid the existence of the third master and others, after all, he invited Daoist Ziyang and Abbot Jing Nian.Later, when he killed Painted Skin Ghost, Lord Lin also participated in the whole process, so he could just write what he saw and heard.

With the testimony of him, the official of the imperial court, and the prestige of Taoist Ziyang and Abbot Jing Nian, it can basically prove the murder of Painted Skin Ghost.At that time, if I point out where Qianniang is buried and all the strange things in the case, I should be able to get rid of the crime.

——Why keep me in Yangzhou, wouldn't the sooner the case be closed the better?

——Is it because the status of the third master is very precious, so he should be handled with caution?

——I think things are simple?

"Since that's the case, the little girl is waiting for news in Yangzhou City. When the third master and others return to the imperial capital, the little girl will come to bother you again."

Lin Ruhai observed Pei Xiang's various reactions, and also murmured in his heart.He originally thought that Miss Pei was already a member of the Third Prince, but now judging from her words and expressions, she didn't seem to have any plans to follow the Third Prince.

"Miss Pei, have you told the third master about your plan to leave?"

"Never."

"Miss Pei can ask the third master first."

Lin Ruhai said euphemistically: "If the third master comes to help, Miss Pei doesn't need to go back and forth at all, let alone go to the court to report the case in person to plead her case. The third master can directly solve the trouble for the girl."

Lin Ruhai repeatedly mentioned the third master, which made Pei Xiang feel bad.She was by no means a dull person, and at this moment she suddenly realized that some things had gone in a direction that deviated from her expectations.

So, she tentatively said:

"I know that the third master has a high status, and he is extraordinary when he makes a move. But now he travels in a low-clothes, and has no intention of showing off his identity and background, so I really don't want to bother him.

The third master and I were travelers who met by chance, because we wanted to deal with Painted Skin Ghost together and came together to fight the enemy together.Now that the crisis is over, there is naturally no more relationship between me and the third master.

What's more, in my little girl's humble opinion, the matter of getting rid of crimes and rectifying names is the affairs of the government office. Please prove to me in official documents that this is the right way.As for whether the third master is also an official, and whether he has the right to intervene in this matter, the little girl really doesn't know, so she dare not bother rashly. "

These words almost cleared up the relationship between Pei Xiang and Mingzhao, and also made Lin Ruhai ponder for a moment.

At this time, Lord Lin had realized that he had misunderstood the relationship between the third prince and Pei Xiang.

Seeing a beautiful woman appearing next to the prince, and the third prince talking to her in a very soft voice, and showing obvious concern and concern on the day he killed the Painted Skin Ghost, he naturally thought that Pei Xiang belonged to the third prince. Prince.

But now after listening to Pei Xiang's words, Lin Ruhai realized that he had taken it for granted before.

But as a man, Lin Ruhai can naturally sense that the third prince loves Pei Xiang and regards him as his woman.As for whether Pei Xiang knew the thoughts of the third prince, Lin Ruhai had no way of judging, and he was unwilling to delve into the thoughts of a daughter's family.

What he has to do now is to try to avoid being deeply involved in the private affairs of the third prince's inner house.

Lin Ruhai can't do such a thing as "protecting the media" for the nobleman, but he is not a fool in the officialdom. On the premise that he knew that the third prince liked Pei Xiang, he did his best to send him away, and disturbed him very shamelessly. The beauty of marriage.

"Miss Pei, if you plan to leave, even if you don't want to trouble the third master to deal with you, you should go and say goodbye to the third master.

The two of you met in Yangzhou City, lived next to each other, and all kinds of things happened during the period, it is definitely not an ordinary meeting by chance.If you leave without saying hello, the third master will probably regret it for a long time.Miss Pei, no matter what, there should be a beginning and an end. "

Pei Xiang understood Master Lin's plan to "avoid suspicion", and because of the other party's determined attitude, he guessed that the third master did have plans for her.

——All the discerning people around got some kind of hint and acquiescence, but I was the only one who was in the dark under the lights, and still wanted to get together and get away.

She paused, and bowed slightly to Lin Ruhai: "Thank you, Mrs. Lin, for reminding me, the little girl is going to say goodbye to the third master."

Pei Xiang turned and left Lin Ruhai's room, and walked towards Mingzhao's residence.

However, one of Mingzhao's guards told Pei Xiang that after the Painted Skin Ghost was dealt with yesterday, their master left Yangzhou City overnight with a few subordinates, and would not return until three or five days later.

Seeing no one, Pei Xiang was not impatient.Before time-traveling, she had a calm and thoughtful temperament. After time-traveling, after getting along with Painted Skin Ghost, Pei Xiang felt that her patience had increased a lot, and she also knew that only by keeping calm and clear can she make the best choice at all times.

Now that she knew that she would not be able to leave Yangzhou in the near future, she planned to go shopping in the street.

Because of the existence of Painted Skin Ghost, she has been nesting in the yard, and she has never had a good look at the local customs of Huaiyang.Now that there is no danger of her life, and there is no urgent thing to do, she has a little thought of going out.

——Since there will be no more progress in the yard, it is better to go out for a walk, maybe you will find some new discoveries.

——If... that third master really has unrealistic charming thoughts, and he is too domineering, I have to make some preparations in advance.

——You can’t go head-to-head with that kind of person.

Pei Xiang walked and thought, his mood was still optimistic and calm.

However, when she walked to the front door of the inn, two familiar guards stopped her, and one of them politely clasped his fists and said:

"Miss Pei, the third master has an order. You still have unfinished cases on your body. Moreover, your current status is different from the past. It is best not to go out casually these days. If you need anything, you can ask your servants to buy it."

Pei Xiang took a deep breath, carefully tasted the words "identity is different from the past" in her heart, and almost laughed angrily, she didn't know why she was different from the past?

Pei Xiang glanced at the guard with a serious look, and without saying anything, turned around and returned the same way.

In the evening, Pei Xiang hugged the little white fox who had wandered back from nowhere and rubbed it, making the little white fox rua almost to the point of blowing out, and she felt a little better.

—Hold back your temper, hold back, think about the original owner's deed, think about the arrest warrant that has not been revoked, think about my current situation alone, don't lose your temper!

——If this kind of nobleman wants to handle a little dancer, it's as easy as pie.

——Since I can get rid of the painted skin ghost who eats people's hearts, I can calmly face the world that binds people's hearts.The little dancer is beautiful and weak and can be bullied, but Pei Xiang is not easy to bully.

Three days later, a guard who went out with Mingzhao hurried back and brought Lin Ruhai a letter.

Later, Lin Ruhai came to visit Pei Xiang in person.

After the two sat down respectively, before the tea was served, Lin Ruhai handed Mingzhao's letter to Pei Xiang.

"Miss Pei, what the third master's letter means is that his errands have reached a critical juncture, and the inn has become unsafe. If you continue to live here, you may be targeted by some desperate villains.

Therefore, he ordered Lin to take the girl back to Lin's residence for a temporary stay.After the third master has finished handling the affairs at hand, he will go to the Lin Mansion to pick up the girl and return to the imperial capital together. "

Pei Xiang lowered his head to read the letter, listening to Lin Ruhai's narration, without showing any expression of anger or surprise.After Lin Ruhai finished speaking and read her letter, she slowly folded the letter from the third prince Mingzhao.

"The third master is His Royal Highness the third prince? A prince?"

"Yes, at the beginning of last year, His Majesty the Third Highness was crowned king for his meritorious service, and His Majesty personally conferred the title 'Duan'."

"It turned out to be King Duan." Pei Xiang sighed lightly: "I don't know that the nobleman has such a prominent status, the little girl is really rude these days."

Lin Ruhai noticed that there was no special joy on Pei Xiang's face, and there was a slight strangeness in his heart, but he didn't ask any more questions, and just explained Mingzhao's various arrangements with all his heart.

"Zhuo Jing was born in the Jia family in the capital, and she is the younger sister of the two elders of Zhong She and Zheng in Rongguo Mansion. Before leaving the cabinet in the past, she had some contacts with the current Princess Duan. With understanding, I am also familiar with the relationship between the female family members in the back house.

According to the meaning of the third master, I hope that the girl will learn some inside information and taboos through Zhuo Jing's narration and memories while temporarily staying in Lin's mansion, and learn some rules and etiquette to prepare for living in the imperial capital in the future. "

——The Jia family!

—— Rongguo Mansion?

——Sister of She and Zheng...

Ever since Lin Ruhai mentioned his wife's natal family background, Pei Xiang tried his best to hold back the change of expression on his face, looking calm and gentle.But she was secretly astonished in her heart, she didn't expect that Lord Lin Ruhai was really the Lin Ruhai she knew, the biological father of sister Lin in "Dream of Red Mansions"!

Suddenly meeting a character in the book, normally, Pei Xiang would be interested in inquiring about the characters in the plot, but at this moment, she has no extra thoughts to care about the Dream of Red Mansions.

She took a sip of tea slowly, and then asked in an uncertain tone:

"Master Lin, the third master asked Madam Ling and me to learn about human relations and etiquette in the capital, and he also said that he would return to the imperial capital with me. Does he mean that he wants to take me as a concubine?"

Lin Ruhai was silent, he didn't see any joy and anticipation on Pei Xiang's face, and he still didn't understand Pei Xiang's true attitude. After a while, he nodded helplessly:

"According to what the lord said in the letter, he should take the girl back to the palace. Moreover, the lord intends to give the girl a decent title, otherwise Zhuo Jing would not let Zhuo Jing teach the girl about the affairs of the house."

Pei Xiang frowned: "What if I don't want to?"

Lin Ruhai looked at Pei Xiang and shook his head: "Miss Pei, you are a smart person. You should know that there are some things that cannot be violated. The wishes of a nobleman are gifts, and you must accept them with joy."

Pei Xiang laughed mockingly: "Fame and gifts are indeed rare honors. With such a humble background, King Duan actually wants to give me a decent title and allow me to go out to socialize on behalf of Prince Duan's mansion. I should be very grateful."

Lin Ruhai persuaded Pei Xiang again: "Girl is tough, quick-witted and transparent. The prince is young and talented, and the emperor's favorite son. He is a perfect match. Even if there are flaws in the ointment, we should try our best to look away."

"A fly in the ointment?" Pei Xiang raised his eyebrows playfully, thinking that the "beauty" has not been discovered, but there are a lot of "deficiencies"...

——The most important thing is that I have no interest in that man, no matter what kind of "interest".

Pei Xiang quickly suppressed the obvious emotional fluctuations in his eyes, and his brows became calm again, making it impossible to see the depth, as if the person who mocked and frowned just now was not her.

"Master Lin's words are very true. Among the princes, there are dragons and phoenixes among the princes, and all the concubines in the mansion are virtuous people with prominent backgrounds. I should be satisfied to have such good luck."

Lin Ruhai nodded slightly, and said no more. If Mingzhao hadn't written suddenly to entrust Pei Xiang to the Lin family's care, he wouldn't have said these words today.

In fact, according to Lin Ruhai's true intentions, he was unwilling to bring Pei Xiang back to the Lin family.Unfortunately, some things happened too logically for him to refuse.

Now that the princes are getting older, all of them are full of heroism, both civil and military, and they all want to make contributions and become real masters.But His Majesty is getting old day by day, gradually unable to suppress the turbulent undercurrent among the princes.

Various factions gradually separated in the court, most of the officials had their own candidates who supported them, trying to make a contribution to support them.However, Lin Ruhai has always been a very staunch royalist, never participating in the increasingly fierce battle for the heir apparent.

But the world is unpredictable, who would have thought that the third prince, Prince Duan, would be followed by a painted-skinned ghost when he went to the south of the Yangtze River?Because of this matter, Lin Ruhai and Duan Wang had a further interaction.

Having a special encounter with an adult prince does not mean that he has changed his position just because of this. After all, there is a reason for the incident, and he is on a errand.

But if after finishing the errands, he took the third prince's new favorite back to the Lin family for a temporary stay, and asked Mrs. Lin to teach him about the inner house, it would be regarded as a personal relationship.So far, even if Lin Ruhai supports His Majesty as always, he will inevitably be labeled as being close to the third prince.

This is a sensitive period, and any disturbances cannot be ignored.

This was King Duan's conspiracy. He used Pei Xiang to drag Lin Ruhai into his circle. Even if it wasn't true, he still wanted to make other forces murmur.Of course, Lin Ruhai could refuse, but if something happened to Pei Xiang, the feud between the Lin family and King Duan would be completely settled.

Lin Ruhai didn't want to stand in line to choose the prince, but he also didn't want to form hatred because of it.

At a certain moment, Lin Ruhai and Pei Xiang felt a little bit like each other, and they both became pawns to be manipulated under the imperial power.A nobleman loves trustworthiness, which is glory. If you refuse, you will be ignorant of the heights of the heavens and the earth...

Before going to the Lin Mansion, Pei Xiang had already adjusted his mentality.She definitely didn't want to be a concubine for the third prince Mingzhao, but she had to slowly plan how to tactfully refuse and how to escape safely.

The future is uncertain, and the current life still needs to be taken seriously.

Before going to live in the Lin family temporarily, Pei Xiang thought that she had to prepare a meeting gift for the Lin family, so she needed to find out some things in advance.

"Master Lin, I wonder how many young masters and daughters you have under your knees?"

"Lin has a son and a daughter. The eldest daughter is three years old, and her baby name is Daiyu. The younger one has just turned two years old and has not yet been named."